Chapter 54
A/N I'm happy to finally being able post another chapter for this story.
This chapter has been beta read by my best friend, the wonderful agapeandzoe.
Pr... thank you so much for beta reading this chapter. Thank you for your support and encouragement, it made me feel like an actual writer again and for that I will always be grateful. Thank you for being patient with me and for being my dear friend.
Without the support and encouragement from agapeandzoe this chapter wouldn't have been written. It simply wouldn't exist and y'all would have been waiting way much longer than you already did.
Therefore I dedicate this chapter to the wonderful and amazing agapeandzoe.
Back to the story shall we? I hope y'all like this chapter.
"Honor the space between no longer and not yet." - Nancy Levin.
~~~ A\O A\O A\O ~~~
"Oliver, what are you doing?" Alex shouted, her expression more than surprised.
"What? Just because I'm officially still recovering doesn't mean I can't do this," Oliver answered,
as he picked up Alex, bridal style, and walked them into their hotel room.
Alex and Oliver entered their hotel room to change their clothes for their wedding reception that was to be held downstairs in one of the conference rooms of the hotel.
Alex only shook her head and waited for Oliver to put her down on the floor again, knowing that her husband wouldn't listen to her, and that she should have said something about it.
Wow, I can call him my husband now, officially, Alex thought to herself as a big smile crossed the blonde's face.
"You couldn't help yourself, could you, Detective Benson?" Alex smiled, as Oliver set her back down on the floor again.
"It's tradition to carry your newly wedded wife across the doorstep, and nothing could have kept me from doing that, Mrs. Benson, you deserve to be treated like a queen and so you shall," Oliver answered.
"You're quite special and I'm so happy that I can finally call you my husband, Oliver. You just made me the happiest and most blessed woman in the world, Liv," Alex said softly, as she carefully took Oliver's face in her hands.
Alex leaned forward and closed the space between she and Oliver's face and kissed her Detective softly on his lips. Oliver put his hands on Alex's waist and pulled the beautiful blonde against his body, while kissing back Alex as he tried to put everything he felt for Alex into it.
After the need for air became too much, Oliver pulled back and held on to Alex for a few more seconds before he let go of the blonde.
"I know we need to change our clothes and get ready for our reception but there is something I would like to talk about first, something we need to talk about," Oliver said thoughtfully.
Alex looked into Oliver's eyes trying to read her husband.
"Alright, we can do that. Is there something I should be worried about?" Alex asked carefully.
Oliver took Alex's hand and led her to the sofa in the living room of their hotel room, where they were standing. He sat down on the sofa and looked up at Alex, inviting her to sit down with him, motioning with his eyes. The Detective awaited the ADA's reaction, watching as she sat down, too.
"Well not necessarily, it depends on how you look at it," Oliver answered.
"Well, why don't you tell me what's on your mind and we'll go from there?" Alex asked.
Oliver nodded at Alex and took a deep breath before he spoke. "Well you already know that Kathy wasn't able to stay for our wedding ceremony because she got called back into work. What I didn't tell you was that she also called to ask me a question. At first, I was thrilled with what she asked, and answered her immediately, now I'm not so sure or so happy about it because I answered her question assuming you would be alright with it," Oliver answered, avoiding the subject in question.
"Liv, why don't you tell me what she asked and what your answer was? I'm sure it can't be that bad if you were happy about it at first," Alex replied.
Oliver took another deep breath and dove right into it without trying to think about it too much.
"Someone canceled their surgery at the hospital, and so there was a spot open. Kathy said that she put in a few good words on my behalf and asked me if I wanted that spot. She said that if I wanted to, the spot would be mine and I could have my first surgery—the mastectomy. I told her that I really wanted to have that surgery and that I wanted that spot," Oliver said.
Alex's face lit up like a kid in a candy store when Oliver told her about his first surgery.
"Liv, that's wonderful. I'm so happy for you! When will you have your mastectomy? What a wonderful wedding gift from Kathy. I have to thank her for it! This is amazing and wonderful news, Baby," Alex gushed.
Oliver looked down at the floor while answering Alex's question, feeling selfish and guilty for saying yes to Kathy, meaning they won't be able to go on their honeymoon tomorrow.
"Friday of next week," Oliver mumbled.
"I'm sorry honey, I didn't hear you. What's the date of your surgery?" Alex asked.
"It's next week. Friday of next week," Oliver answered softly.
"Next week?! That's...that's fast," Alex said, surprised.
"I know. I'm sorry Alex, I'm sorry for being so selfish and that I told Kathy that I wanted that spot. I should have told her no and should have just waited for the next opening, or waited until a next spot to be scheduled. We need to go on our honeymoon, for Heaven's sake. I'm sorry I didn't know what I was thinking…thinking that it would be alright to do this. I'll call Kathy right away and tell her that I changed my mind," Oliver said sadly, still looking down at the floor as he hung his head.
"Oh, no you don't. Look at me Liv," Alex said softly, but determinedly.
Oliver didn't look up at first, and so Alex took Oliver's hand and squeezed it encouraging as the Detective looked up and into her eyes. When Oliver looked up, only then did Alex continue.
"You are not selfish. In fact, you're the most selfless person I know. I know how important this is for you. In fact, it's important for the both of us, Oliver. I know it's rare for an opportunity like this to show up. But honestly, Oliver, I don't care that we won't be going on our honeymoon next week. This is more important than that. As strange as it might sound, it is important right now. Yes, I would like to go on our honeymoon, but it can wait until after your surgery. We both will enjoy our honeymoon more…and more importantly, to the fullest, after you have had your surgery. So you are not, and I repeat it again, you are NOT going to call Kathy and cancel your surgery. Because, you were right when you said yes. You were right about this being the right thing to do. I meant it when I said that this is a wonderful wedding gift from Kathy. I am thrilled that you will have your first surgery next week," Alex finished, almost squealing in the process.
Oliver's grin broadened as he watched Alex, silently being incredibly thankful for having such an understanding and amazing wife.
"Are you absolutely sure, Lex?" Oliver asked.
"Yes, Liv. I'm sure. Now I'd love to talk about this more but we have guests waiting for us at our reception, so we really need to get changed and not let them wait any longer than they already have to. Although I'm really disappointed that you took off your dress uniform, you look so handsome and sexy in it," Alex answered as she waggled her eyebrows.
"Alexandra Benson, you're such a badge bunny," Oliver laughed.
Alex slapped Oliver's arm but laughed about it together with him.
"I am not a badge bunny. Well, maybe just a bit. But if I am, I'm your badge bunny and yours alone. So I'm only a badge bunny when it comes to you, Detective," Alex said.
"As I am yours and only yours, Counselor. But let's get changed. The sooner we attend our reception, the sooner we can leave and spend some time together on our wedding night," Oliver said, waggling his own eyebrows.
~~~ A/O A/O A/O ~~~
After Alex and Oliver entered the room, everyone came towards them and congratulated the couple. Alex and Oliver were sitting at a table with Alex's parents, Jane and Abby, and Alex's siblings. Everyone in the room was enjoying themselves and Alex and Oliver were enjoying their reception but mostly the time they were spending with each other. There was a band with live music and everyone was relaxed and having fun. There had been several speeches during the night and now, as the evening was coming to an end, it was Alexander's turn to give a speech. Alexander got up and tapped his fork against his glass to get everyone's attention.
"Good evening ladies and gentlemen. I'm Alexander Cabot, Alex's father, for those whom didn't know that already," Alexander said.
The whole room laughed at his little joke as it was obvious, even for those who didn't know him, that he was Alex's father.
"Now normally, a father would give the groom a speech about him making sure he took care of his little girl, but with Oliver I don't have to do that. Like I said to Alex and Oliver before, I'm almost sorry for whomever wants to try to attack or hit on Alex. As you all know Alex and Oliver, you all probably know how protective my son-in-law is with our Alex…well his Alex now, I guess. For those who don't know it yet, let me give you an example and tell you how our daughter Felicia found out how protective he is with Alex and defends her honor," Alexander began.
There were several guests, including Oliver's squad, who laughed and low mumblings of uh-oh were heard amongst them. Alex and Oliver looked at each other and Oliver rolled with his eyes. But Alex looked at him like a proud peacock. Felicia groaned and carefully looked at Oliver, still a bit scared for what his reaction would be, not having forgotten what had happened and knowing what her father was about to divulge.
"Oh yes, it's my duty as a father to tell something embarrassing, and I'm not dumb enough to tell something embarrassing about Alex. I would like to live longer than today, thank you very much. Anyway, this is how our daughter found out, and the hard way I'd like to add, how protective Oliver is.
Oliver went to buy the suit that he is currently wearing at my daughter's store together with Jane, and Alex bought her dress at her sister's other store. Felicia helped Oliver per Alex's request. However, it didn't get that far. While Jane showed Felicia the dress that Alex would wear for this reception, Felicia made an comment about Alex and said called Alex one of her less flattering nicknames, the 'Ice Queen', while telling Jane something about handling some members of our family. Jane warned Felicia not to call Alex that in front of Oliver. But of course, like a true Cabot, Felicia wouldn't listen and asked why she shouldn't call Alex an Ice Queen, when she was one, herself, professionally. I have to mention that Oliver was still at the beginning of his recovery but he was up and in Felicia's face in just seconds. I won't repeat all that he said, but he made it perfectly clear, in only a couple of sentences, that Alex was not an Ice Queen and to never say anything like that, ever again. Now, being a member of the Cabot family, Felicia was used to that sort of thing, but I can honestly say, that she was really scared of Oliver in that exact moment. And I highly doubt that she will do anything like that ever again in Oliver's presence.
So long story short, I will never doubt that my little girl isn't safe or won't be defended by my dear son-in-law. Oliver has proven, more than once to me, that he worships the ground our Alex walks on, and that he loves my daughter like no one else can love her. That he always will protect and defend her to the best of his abilities. I couldn't have asked for a better husband for my daughter, than him.
Alex and Oliver, love each other forever and always like you are doing now. We, Alex's mother and I, wish you both the best and a long and loving marriage. And when you have one of your legendary fights, please keep it inside your own house, because we all know that while you might be fighting with each other, none of us should say anything against either one of you if we don't want to be at the end of either one of your wrath's, let alone the wrath against of the both of you joined together.. Seriously, again we wish you both the best and may you have a long and happy life together. To Oliver and Alex," Alexander finished his speech, raising his glass in a toast. "To Oliver and Alex!"
"To Oliver and Alex!" everyone repeated.
"Really dad, you couldn't help yourself could you? You had to say something about our fights?" Alex whispered when Alexander sat down again.
"You knew he would say something embarrassing about us, but I'm glad he chose this to say and not something else, Lex," Oliver said softly.
Alex didn't say anything. She only rolled her eyes at her husband, knowing that he was right. But hey, she might be a Benson now, but she still was born a Cabot, and she would never admit that someone might be right.
~~~ O O O ~~~
Oliver looked at Alex and smiled at the blonde. Then, with Alex's help he got up. It had been a wonderful, but long, day and after all, he was still recovering. He picked up his glass and tapped his fork against it.
"Alex and I want to thank all of you for coming and celebrating this wonderful day with us. Words cannot express how proud and blessed I am for being Alex's husband. Nor can they express how much I love you, Lex," Oliver said, looking down and into the most beautiful blue eyes he had ever seen.
"I would like to express my gratitude, specifically to Jane, Abby and Alex's mother, for putting up with me today and especially for the time before Alex and I got married. Thank you so much for giving us this wonderful and beautiful wedding. It may be time for Alex and I to leave this party and enjoy each other's company privately, but I would like to invite you all to stay and celebrate this day and our wedding further, without our presence.
Lastly, but most importantly to me, I would like to thank my wife, Alex. Lex, thank you for giving me the most precious day, the most beautiful day of my life, thank you for marrying me today. I love you so much and will always love you," Oliver finished.
It was quiet for just a couple of seconds, everyone touched by Oliver and the way he closed his speech, as he expressed his love for Alex as publicly as this.
After those couple of seconds the whole room exploded with applause and cheering for the newlywed couple.
Oliver held out his hand and Alex took it and stood up. The couple briefly thanked those at their table before they walked away and left the conference room to go upstairs to their hotel room.